The most hyped handset since the iPhone 4S has lived up to the hoopla, toppling not only Apple's ageing starlet but all of its Android rivals too. The Galaxy S III offer the slickest Android Ice Cream Sandwich experience we've seen, thanks to a 1.4Ghz quad-core Exynos processor, which eats 1080p movies for breakfast and can even play them in a pop-up window while you browse the web. Extras such as the microSD slot and larger battery give it the edge over HTC's One X, and the 4.8in/12cm Super AMOLED screen is sharp and vibrant. We can't wait to see how Apple responds.KILLER FEATURE A quad-core engine that never gets flustered

So fine is the line between the One X and the S III that it all comes down to taste. If you're after build quality, a pin-sharp screen with true color reproduction and bags of camera effects, get the One X. Want battery life and storage? Try S III.

Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone's slowing pace of innovation has cost it the No.1 spot, but it's still the most polished smartphone experience around. Its 3.5in/8.9cm, 325ppi screen is the crispest in smart-world, its 8MP camera takes fine snaps, and iOS remains an app heaven.

The Xperia S is bursting with toys, including a 12MP camera and NFC, while its 4.3in/11cm, 720p screen is one of the best out. It now has two siblings: the 8MP, 4.3in/11cm Xperia P with NFC, and the entry level 5MP, 3.5in/8.9cm Xperia U. Sadly, they don't share that 720p screen.

Samsung Galaxy S II

The inevitable Galaxy S III is, at time of writing, expected to arrive before summer, although we await official confirmation. It will allegedly pack a quad-core processor and a 1080p screen - but its predecessor remains a formidable force, and great value.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

Sony's new Xperia S might trump it, but for under $... the Ars S is still well worth considering. It has a dazzling 4.2in/10.7cm screen and an impressive 8MP camera which takes 3D panoramas, though it lacks the processing power of its rivals at No.3 and No.3.

The first Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich' phone also sports a phone display as good as any - a phenomenal 4.65in/11.8cm, 1280x720 eyeball-pleaser. Its 1.2GHz dual-core power makes it quick, too, but its build quality and camera don't quite match the best.

The Lumia 800 will soon be usurped as Nokia's flagship WP7 phone, with the Finns confirming that the Lumia 900 will be arriving in 2012. As expected, it won't have the 4G powers of the US version, but it will support a big, shiny 4.3in/11cm display.

BlackBerry Bold 9790

The newest addition to the Bold family is a pocket-friendly touchscreener. Its 2.4in/6cm display gives a smooth interface for navigating. It has the latest BlackBerry 7 OS, a more powerful 1GHz processor and 5MP camera. Although the screen size isn't ideal for those who enjoy web browsing it serves purpose email.

Samsung Galaxy Note

The 5.3in/13.5cm Galaxy Note has become our favorite phone-tablet. Its 1280x800 screen is a joy for gaming, while the 8MP camera isn't far behind the class-leading iPhone 4S. It's not for the small-handed though.

With its new camera and iOS 5 skills, the iPhone 4S remains the world's best all-around smartphone

Instant Expert

With Samsung's Galaxy S III now top of our charts, you might have been thinking about trading in your old iPhone and going over to the green side. Only to then dismiss the idea when you though about what a palaver it would be to uproot your comfortable iTunes existence and shift your data to Android. But the process just got easier. Samsung is now offering a free app called Easy Phone Sync with its Galaxy phones - this transfer all your data and allows you to continue using iTunes with your new handset. You'll also need to download some free software from easyphonesync.com. Sadly, apps (natch) and DRM-protected music won't be transferred. Still, it's nice to start with a clean slate, eh?

// This free app lets you use your Galaxy phone with iTunes"

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

1Operating system Beyond Apple's OS, there are three main ways to go: Windows Phone 7, Google Android and BlackBerry. BlackBerry is still best for business, Android has great apps and the improving Windows Phone 7 is ideal for smartphone newbies.

2Screen Standard resolution is up to 800x480 these days, but few phones in this list would be seen dead with much less than 1280x720. Bigger might seem better for screen size, but the small-handed might want to try before they buy.